Mahatma Gandhi said, "It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver." The wealthiest people in the world might not argue that statement. After all, what good is limitless wealth if a person isn't mentally and physically healthy enough to enjoy it?
If you must choose between mental and physical health, mental health wins every time. If your mind is shot, it's impossible to properly use a healthy body. With excellent mental health, your body may not be in the best shape, but you can still enjoy a full and rewarding life.
Unfortunately, many people these days fall prey to a thief of mental health. According to Stanford researchers, "Burnout alone causes the United States an estimate of $5 billion annually, and it affects around 615 million people worldwide."
That was the finding of Dr. Christine A Sinsky and several other doctors in their research reported in the June 2019 Annals of Internal Medicine issue.
This gives us an idea of how widespread burnout really is. It's such a global problem with far-reaching repercussions that the World Health Organization (WHO) considers it a global health condition.
That respected international health authority believes that more than 120,000 annual deaths directly result from burnout-related conditions. It was included in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD–11), listed as an occupational phenomenon.
Burnout Isn't Just Work-Related
Generally considered a workplace issue, anyone who has endured a difficult relationship understands that burnout can affect other aspects of a person's life.
Marriages can be difficult. Some, unfortunately, result in a person feeling out of control and overburdened. If they can't see any end in sight to depression, feelings of emptiness and being underappreciated, and a lack of control, burnout can develop.
Any ongoing interpersonal relationship can lead to chronic, unrelenting stress. That can lead to burnout if the stress is not addressed.
Parents of problem children will tell you that there are days when they throw their han
ds in the air and give up. Mentally and emotionally, they had enough. If this situation continues, the toll on a parent's mental health can be devastating.
If depression, overwhelming exhaustion, a lack of emotions, and physical symptoms are constant companions, you may be suffering from burnout. It's crucial that you get this condition addressed. If untreated, it can lead to damage and loss in many areas of your life. The good news is that burnout is a reversible condition when treated by a licensed mental health professional.
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